Big Pete 1982

Even when I do big group rides with hundreds of riders and they are all wearing them, I still wear my baggy mountain bike shorts. I just feel weird wearing those tight shorts, but then other cyclists look at me like I'm weird for not wearing them!

kc0bbq

I just decided at one point to not care. I don't want saddle sores or whatever chafing could happen.

I don't look any less dumb than a 140 pound guy in lycra. Especially on days like today when it is chilly and I have arm and leg warmers on. There was less spandex in a Van Halen concert in the early 80s.

Compression clothing's other benefits on long rides are just more valuable than someone else's opinions on my appearance.

We should be sponsored. More ad space on a clyde, lol.

JBHoren

What's the big deal? I'm 270lbs, 6'1", and I wear UA compression undershorts with a pair of gym shorts on top... the best of both worlds.

TrojanHorse

This. Do you think not wearing bike shorts makes you look thinner? If some skinny cyclist makes fun of you then sit on him. Some days it's good to be a clyde.

Medic Zero

.


I've never worn the cycling shorts by themselves, not when I'm down at my fighting weight of 210 or at any weight between there and the 280 I am right now. I've always worn another pair of shorts over the chamois or these days, bib shorts. Part of this is I can't see doing without pockets, even if a lot of the time all I've got in them is a single handkerchief, but mostly it is because I don't want my junk out there for all the world to look at.

I rarely have chaffing issues and haven't attributed them to the second pair of shorts when I do have them.

gabeham206

I wear them, I'm a super-Clyde (6'5" 330lbs) it makes cycling so much more comfortable and easier. That's all that matters to me.

MRT2

What is there to be embarrassed about? Function and comfort over modesty.

CommuteCommando

At seventeen I was just as screwed up as anyone over concerns about what others thought. At 57, I have found immense inner peace in not giving a damn about what others think. Spandex is freekin' comfortable.

DanWho

I kind have a fear of wearing any shorts at all and keep with the long pants, not because of modesty. I'm scared that the sun will come out from behind the clouds and everyone seeing me will be blinded. I have the purest bright white legs you have ever seen. I haven't worn short pants of any kind for 25 years now. So not even a tan line just pure white.

TTom0814

I'm 250 and when i got my road bike i just decided that i dont care what other people think and that 90% of the time i wouldnt see any of the people who i ride pass or who am i kidding, ride pass me again.

i have a friend who is pretty fit about 160lbs, 5'8 who has gotten into cycling this last week and i went with him to get some clothing and he was embarrassed to wear lycra and a jersey and wanted to go up a size, but i pretty much just told me if i'm not embarrassed riding than you shouldn't be, and that a jersey and lycra should be tight.

we'll see how it goes hah.

eja_ bottecchia

Get over it...nobody really cares. It is all in your head. Wear what gives you the most comfort!

jim p

You probably wish that you didn't have this embarrassment about wearing the lycra. So think of it this way, if you wear the bike shorts maybe you will be an inspiration to some others to not worry about wearing their bike shorts.

My bet is that if you just force yourself to ride in the shorts a few times that you will realize that your worries about being embarrassed will be a thing of the past and you will feel silly for thinking the way that you do at this time.

I live out in the sticks and no one around here had really seen bike shorts before. So I felt a little apprehensive about wearing mine. I went ahead and wore them and you know that no one has seemed to really care. Maybe they said things behind my back but not to my face and just maybe I have made them a little more comfortable about what they can wear.

It's all good. Just do it.

laardvark

+1

bike4fun12

like most people, just get over it and buy a pair. It does wonders. going from gym shorts to bike shorts....there is no contest. lycra hugs your legs so no bunching up like gym shorts. when I first started riding, gym shorts would always fly up my leg and I was always pushing them down. so freakin annoying after the 25th time in a ride. I was embarrassed about wearing tights and thought the gym shorts would suffice. wrong! once I made the jump, I have never looked back. even on short rides (10 miles) I wear lycra shorts.

look at other road bikers, 90% of them big or small riders wear lycra shorts/bibs/etc. it is the uniform of a tour biker. if anything, others will judge you for not wearing the proper clothing.

I like what Jim p said above. about maybe inspiring others to wear lycra. I'm in southern california, where image is everything. but, I see big riders out here all the time in their tight little shorts and jerseys. I looked at them and thought, if they can, so can I! so, I decided one day to buy some lycra shorts and just ride. one of the best decisions. longer rides are a lot easier now.

just do it.

contango 

That's what I do as well, padded shorts with baggier overshorts. The secondary shorts provide pockets for my wallet and a few allen keys and provide the rest of the world with a little humanitarian relief.

I don't really care if I don't look "the part" (whatever that means). I ride for pleasure and for me comfort and convenience trumps having the right look.


I like it

Rowan

You don't have to look at you while riding your bike. So what's the big deal?

chefisaac

Among other riders, no but if I have to go into the store.... cleats on, helmet on and wearing bike shorts, yes, its not my favorite thing. People love to stare.

bbeasley

Took me about a month to join the I don't care club.

IBOHUNT

I also belong to the Fifty plus crowd. I was in the 'I don't give a crap' club a long time ago.

And stay off my lawn...

cartman380

I haven't bought a pair of bike shorts yet but after my first long ride of the season of ~48 miles I'm thinking more about getting them. I'd still wear regular shorts over-top them because I usually have something or other in my pockets for convenience. I also have the whole manly issue going on, where I don't think I'm ever going to wear just bike shorts and a jersey. I don't want to see me in tight bike shorts and I don't care to see any other male in tight bike shorts, and that's probably not going to change. But as I said, I will most likely get bibs and wear a pair of gym shorts over-top them because I was a bit saddle sore towards the end of my long ride.

laardvark

Now that cracked me up!

It's easier when you come to the realization that nobody really cares what you're doing or what you're wearing while doing it.

Chitown_Mike

I have to show of what muh mama gave me!

I, despite my weight, have had the legs of a Greek god for a long time. When I did go to the gym and lift the guys there would ask me how I had the legs I did.....genetics. Although when you tell an Eastern European import that it is my "genes" they get excited thinking they can wear pants to get muscular legs.... :facepalm:

OP, I know what you mean. All last season I wore a pair of cycling briefs, padded underwear basically, under a pair of basketball shorts, then went with some thinner shorts, and eventually got some lightweight running shorts. By the end of the season I wasn't loving having the loose shorts. This season I got a pair of Canari's and love them! I still use the briefs when on the mountain bike from time to time, but basically they are looking to get retired.

Get them, wear them, show off that junk in the trunk, and enjoy!

MRT2

It took a couple of years, but I eventually convinced my wife to switch to proper cycling shorts. Not wearing underwear initially grossed her out, but after 3 or 4 years, she has warmed to the idea of riding for hours without crotch and butt irritation she had erroneously assumed was just part of cycling.

antimonysarah

I got over it in high school when I was a competitive swimmer (not very good, mind you, but our school team was tiny) and was running around in a speedo. I sometimes cringe at photos of myself in biking kit, because then I'm self-conscious, but when I'm actually riding I'm totally comfortable. I do keep meaning to pick up an ultralight coverup skirt just so that I could stop somewhere for a sit-down lunch on rides without looking quite as odd, but that's less about looking good and more about wearing something that's appropriate for the activity (eating in a restaurant, that is). Unfortunately, a skirt only works for women, in terms of not looking unusual. Maybe someone should start making cycling overkilts for dudes.

People are going to look at me and see a fattie on a bike no matter what I wear -- so I might as well be comfortable.

FrenchFit 

I care, because I care, my standards. It wouldn't matter if the streets are empty, it's a lot like wearing a Speedo to the pool...it's not in my book...I'm not a competitive swimmer..I am not racing. Nike Dri-Fit shorts over a liner for most of my rides, and the pockets can come in handy. Fine for century distance.

If I'm on my carbon vonder bike or sprinter, then I might kit-up. No doubt you are faster wearing tight fitting clothes, huge difference approaching 20 mph, baggy is no good. If it's going to be real hot, then cycling shorts for sure. Otherwise, it just seems silly. Group ride? Around here that means going fast, I'd be in spandex.

I was in the gym yesterday, some guy with a big beer belly was strutting around with very tight spandex yoga pants. Hey, ... what makes you happy. At least it's less vulgar than blasting those kicker speakers in your pimp ride.